Lay flat tubing

ABSTRACT

Lay flat tubing is used as a fluid conductor for transferring fluid to and from the body of a patient. The lay flat tubing lies flat or collapsed when not in use, utilizing minimal space during transportation and storage, but which expands to form a passage when used to conduct fluid. A plurality of lumens may be formed in the lay flat tubing. At least one lumen transports infused fluid end-to-end from a source to an entry site on a patient, or in the alternative from an entry site on or in a patient. All lumens are isolated with respect to each other in order to prevent crossover of fluid from one lumen to the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention pertains to methods and apparatus for conductingfluid to and from the body of a living being. In a particularembodiment, the present invention is directed toward methods andapparatus for infusing of one or more liquids into a patient and/orconducting such fluid(s) from a patient. The present invention isfurther directed to methods and apparatus for transferring informationvia a conductive material in a common structure with fluid-conductivetubing.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Generally, intravenous (“I.V.”) solutions or other liquids are infusedinto a patient by disposing a liquid-filled bag containing theintravenous solution or other liquid on a support structure, e.g., apole, that permits either gravitational forces or the application ofadditional pressure to direct liquid from the bag through a preformedcylindrical tube into a patient.

Invariably, patients require infusion of one of more I.V. solutionsduring the course of their treatment. Accordingly, first responders andhospitals require that large amounts of tubing be stored in anticipationof treatment, thereby creating an issue of storage space adequacy.Hospitals and, more critically, ambulances have limited storage spacefor necessary medical supplies.

Similarly, storing I.V. tubing with its ends open and exposed to theambient environment creates a contamination risk by unintentionallyallowing micro-organisms, pyrogens, particulates, and other contaminantsto enter and contact an inner surface of the intravenous tubing.

Furthermore, treatment may require that several tubes be connected to apatient at a single time. In addition to intravenous tubes, it may benecessary to connect other standalone lines to or near a patient, e.g.,wire leads for warming the I.V. solution, conductive wiring formonitoring the patient's body functions, etc. The application ofmultiple standalone lines coupled with intravenous tubes to treat apatient can be confusing to a caregiver and may result in incorrectdeployment and treatment. Moreover, manipulation of multiple lines cancreate a tangle and cause additional damage. Several organizationalapparatuses attempt to manage multiple lines and tubes leading to apatient. These devices characteristically include a locking bar withseveral tube-receiving recesses that allow a caregiver to separate andlabel the independent lines and tubes. Such devices suffer from severaldrawbacks. As a first responder, a caregiver may not have the time toproperly setup and/or label each line administered. Also, the devicesare yet an additional item to manage and store during treatment.

As previously stated, infusion of intravenous fluids often relies ongravitational forces to infuse the contents of a liquid-filled bag intoa patient. However, gravitational forces may be insufficient to drivecertain viscous liquids, such as blood, into the patient at thenecessary flow rate. There are several examples of prior art attempts toalleviate the aforementioned problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No.4,090,514 (Hinck et al.) discloses a pressure infusion device includinga bladder wherein the device encases a liquid-filled bag with thebladder surrounding at least eighty percent of that bag. Upon inflationof the bladder, liquid within the liquid-filled bag is infused underpressure into a patient. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,136 (Mandl)discloses a pressure infuser including an inflatable bladder that wrapsabout a bag. The bladder includes a vertical strip at each end and astrap that wraps about the bladder and bag. The vertical strips overlapto provide a complete wrap about the liquid-filled bag, while the strapmaintains contact between the overlapping strip portions. The bladder isinflated to a desired pressure whereby pressure is applied by thebladder to the liquid-filled bad to infuse liquid into a patient.

Moreover, it is desirable during surgical procedures to maintain apatient's normal body temperature to avoid hypothermia and othercomplications brought about by the infusing liquids having temperaturesbelow normal body temperature. Such complications include, but are notlimited to, a decrease in patient body temperature, shock, cardiacdysfunction, increased coagulation time, and, in certain patients, anagglomeration of blood cells.

In order to avoid hypothermia and other complications as describedabove, warmers are typically employed during surgical and other medicalprocedures to maintain the infused liquid temperature at or near bodytemperature. Some examples include: U.S Pat. No. 1,995,302(“Goldstein”), utilizing a spirally wound electric resistance wire aboutthe outer surface of an I.V. line; U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,851 (“Seibert”),disclosing a heating sleeve surrounding and extending along a length oftube to heat liquid as the liquid flows to a receptacle; and, U.S. Pat.No. 5,250,032 (“Carter, Jr. et al.”) teaching a housing having a channelfor receiving a portion of an intravenous tube and a heating elementmounted proximate a slot disposed within the channel to heat the tube.

The prior art warmer systems briefly described above suffer from severaldisadvantages. In particular, those systems tend to employ and control asingle independent heating element disposed along a tube. This limitscontrol accuracy of the liquid temperature, creating hotspots, i.e.,sections of the tube being warmer than other sections of the tube, alongthe tube. Moreover, certain prior art warmer systems heat liquid flowingwithin an intravenous or other tube at a site located a substantialdistance from the infusion location, thereby permitting heated liquid tocool by the time the heated liquid reaches the patient.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide layflat tubing as a fluid conductor for transferring fluid to and from thebody of a patient. The lay flat tubing facilitates fluid delivery to orremoval from a patient's body at an access point, or can similarlyeffect the same function from a cavity or organ of a patient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide tubing capable oflying flat or collapsed, utilizing minimal space during transportationand storage, but which expands to form a passage when used to conductfluid. It is similarly an object to reduce the risk of inner tubesurface contamination during transportation and storage.

It is another object of the present invention to minimize the number ofindependent lines and tubes connected to a patient during a procedure ortreatment by utilizing lay flat tubing with two or more lumens runningthe length thereof, thereby permitting the infusion of multiple mutuallyexclusive liquids through a single structure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide lay flatintravenous tubing with at least one additional lumen capable ofenclosing a conductive material capable of carrying an electricalcurrent along the length of the lay flat tubing.

The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and in combination, andit is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiringtwo or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required bythe claims attached hereto.

According to the present invention, a method and apparatus for infusingliquids utilize lay flat tubing constructed from two sheets ofthermoformed polymer bonded together. Alternatively, a single sheet ofthermoformed polymer may be longitudinally folded onto itself andsubsequently sealed to form the desired lumen. A plurality of lumens maybe formed in the same structure by joining the two sheets or the foldedsingle sheet to define suitable seams. The plural lumen structure mayalso be constructed by bonding a series of longitudinally extendingnarrow plastic strips onto a wider polymer sheet. The lumens are totallyclosed and mutually sealed along their lengths and open at their ends.

When not transporting fluids, the tubing lies substantially flat,eliminating any open interior volume and occupying no more space thanrequired by the sheets superimposed on each other un-abutting relation.The sheets are bonded along lineal seams to form the lumens or channels,at least one of which transports infused fluid end-to-end from a sourceto an entry site on a patient, or in the alternative from an entry siteon or in a patient. The fluid is typically in a liquid state, but mayalso be gaseous or a combination liquid and gas.

While the preferred embodiment is used to conduct (i.e., remove/deliver)flow of medical solutions, the present invention is not limited tomedical applications. Any additional channel can similarly transportfluids, or can alternatively encase a conductive material, e.g., wiring,capable of transmitting signals and information. On the other hand, thewiring may be capable of conducting or generating heat, thereby warmingthe infused fluid within the other channel. All the channels, or lumens,are isolated with respect to each other in order to prevent crossover offluid from one lumen to the other.

While laying flat in storage, the collapsed tubing minimizes interiorcontamination from micro-organisms, pyrogens and particulates. Tofurther decrease the risk of contamination, the ends of the tubing areHF/RF sealed upon completion of the manufacturing process.

In use, the lay flat tubing is inflated or distended by eitherpressurizing the flattened lumen or lumens with the conducted fluid,manipulating the lay flat tubing manually, passing a mandrel through thelumens, or by any other suitable means.

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description of specific embodiments thereof,particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswhere like reference numerals in the various figures are utilized todesignate like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a section of a lay flat tubing conduitin accordance with the invention.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the lay flat tubing of FIG. 1Ataken along line A-A of FIG. 1A showing the tubing in a collapsed state.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view similar to that in FIG. 1B but showingthe tubing in an inflated state.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a section of a lay flat tubing conduithaving two side-by-side lumens shown in a collapsed state in accordancewith the invention.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the lay flat tubing of FIG. 1Ataken along line B-B of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2A but showing the tubingin an inflated state.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a step in the method ofmanufacturing lay flat tubing according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a roll of collapsed lay flat tubingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a step in the manufacture of analternate embodiment of the lay flat tubing of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 5Ashowing two lumens in their collapsed state.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a step in the manufacture of anotheralternate embodiment of the lay flat tubing of the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A showingtwo lumens in their collapsed state.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of still another alternate embodimentof the lay flat tubing of the present invention having three parallellongitudinal lumens shown in their collapsed state.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of the lay flat tubing of the presentinvention used in an intravenous delivery system.

FIG. 9 is partial view in perspective of the system of FIG. 8.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elementsthroughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, a conduit unit representing oneembodiment of the present invention is constructed of lay flat tubingcomprising substantially flat tubing with a single lumen, or conduit,longitudinally disposed the length of the unit. FIGS. 1A and 1Billustrate the lay flat tubing 10 in its collapsed condition as istypical of the tubing during transport and/or storage. FIG. 1Cillustrates the unit 10 inflated as by the passage of fluidtherethrough. Lay flat tubing 10 has a top conduit layer 12 superimposedon a bottom conduit layer 14. Both layers 12, 14 have are generallyshaped as elongated rectangles and are typically compressed together(i.e., the tubing is collapsed) when unit 10 is being stored ortransported. It is to be noted that, for ease in understanding thedrawings, there is a small space illustrated between layers 12 and 14;however, it will be recognized that in the collapsed state of theconduit the two layers are preferably in abutting, fluid-sealing contactalong their lengths.

Both the top conduit layer 12 and the bottom conduit layer 14 have aninterior surface and an exterior surface. The top conduit layer 12 andthe bottom conduit layer 14 are sealed together along outer parallellongitudinally extended edges 24, 26 forming a lumen 28 between firstand second interior surfaces 16, 20 of the top conduit layer 12 and thebottom conduit layer 14, respectively.

The lay flat tubing unit 10 is preferably constructed from a sheet ofthermoformed polymer having flexible and at least partially resilientproperties. Thermoformed polymer is generally formed as a flat sheetcapable of deformation when an additional force or pressure is appliedto a surface of the sheet. Once the applied force or pressure isremoved, the thermoformed polymer sheet returns to its original shape asa flat sheet.

As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, since the interior surfaces 16 and 18 arenormally disposed flush against one another in a fluid-sealingrelationship, the flow cross-sectional area of lumen 28 is negligiblethrough out the lumen length. Lumen 28 has a pair of longitudinallyspaced openings 30 at its ends. While FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the endopenings 30 as residing in planes perpendicular to edges 24, 26 of thetop and bottom conduit layers 12, 14, the end openings 30 can beprovided with an angular relationship to edges 24, 26. End openings 30of the lumen 28 are also normally fluid-sealed.

As best seen in FIG. 1C, lumen 28 of lay flat tubing 10 expandsdiametrically in response to the application of an internal pressure orforce at either end openings 30. For example, FIG. 1C illustrates fluid50 providing sufficient pressure to force the interior surfaces of lumen28 away from one another, thus creating a generally circularcross-sectional profile for the flow passage through the lumen.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-C, an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention includes lay flat tubing 10′ having a top conduit layer 12′superimposed on a bottom conduit layer 14′. Both the top conduit layer12′ and the bottom conduit layer 14′ have at least one interior surfaceand at least one exterior surface. The top conduit layer 12′ and thebottom conduit layer 14′ are sealed along outer parallel longitudinallyextended edges 24′, 26′ forming a lumen 28′ between first and secondinterior surfaces 16′, 20′ of the top conduit layer 12′ and the bottomconduit layer 14′, respectively.

A second lumen 34 is formed by sealing the top conduit layer 12′ to thebottom conduit layer 14′ along a seam line 40 located parallel to andbetween the outer longitudinally extended edges 24′, 26′. Second lumen34 is formed from third interior surface 36 of the top conduit layer 12′and fourth interior surface 38 of the bottom conduit layer 14′.

As seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the respective first and third interiorsurfaces 16′, 36 of the top conduit layer 12′ and the second and fourthinterior surfaces 18′, 38 of the bottom conduit layer 14′ of the layflat tubing 10′ are normally disposed flush against one another in afluid-sealing relationship; thus the cross-sectional flow area of bothfirst lumen 28′ and second lumen 34 throughout the lay flat tubing 10′is negligible as with the embodiment previously described. First lumen28′ has a pair of longitudinally spaced end openings 30′ while secondlumen 34 has a pair of longitudinal spaced end openings 42. End openings30′, 42 of both first and second lumens 28′, 34 are normally disposed tobe fluid-sealed along their lengths. As best seen in FIG. 2C, firstlumen 28′ and second lumen 34 open in response to the application of apressure or force to any of the spaced openings 30′, 42.

First lumen 28′ and second lumen 34 are formed as independent conduits,separated by the sealing of seam line 40, in order to preventinter-mixing of fluid between the lumens. Again, both lumens 28′, 34 aresealed longitudinally between end openings 30′, 42 for conducting fluid50. The spatial relationship of lumens 28′ and 34 is a function of seamline 40 placement. Thus, creating a larger lumen 28′ produces a smallerlumen 34. It is also possible, for some applications to space the lumens28′ and 34 from one another by a section of the lay flat tubing sealedat its ends.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of forming the lay flat tubing 10 describedhereinabove and illustrated in FIGS. 2A-C. Two rolls 60, 62 ofthermoformed polymer sheet material are placed so that as the topconduit layer 12′ and the bottom conduit layer 14′ are withdrawn, theyare positioned one on top of the other in flush abutting relation forsubsequent sealing during lumen formation. Alternatively, thesubstantially equal lengths of thermoformed polymers can be positionedone on top of each other. The two layers 12′, 14′ are then sealed inaccordance with the above-described arrangement (i.e., sealing alongparallel longitudinally extended edges 24′, 26′ and a seam line 40).

The method of sealing or bonding the layers together can be selectedfrom heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, dielectric welding, extrusionduring sheet formation or other methods known to persons skilled in theart. The lumens 28, 28′, 34 of the lay flat tubing 10 should be capableof withstanding a minimum internal pressure in the range of about onehundred pounds per square inch (100 psi).

The nature of the lay flat tubing 10 after manufacturing permits thetubing 10 to be stored and transported in a roll 70 configuration asseen in FIG. 4, either with or without a winding mandrel. Thus, a roll70 of lay flat tubing 10 occupies a minimal amount of space as comparedto pre-formed tubing that includes open flow regions. As lay flat tubing10 is required for use, the necessary length can be extracted from theroll 70 and cut accordingly. Alternatively, pre-cut sections may besupplied and stored in stacks, again minimizing the storage spacerequired since the flow areas are closed.

An alternative method of manufacturing the lay flat tubing isillustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. A single sheet 80 of a thermoformedpolymer is drawn or extruded. Sheet 80 is folded in half creating alongitudinal fold line 82 situated between a top half 84 and a bottomhalf 86 of the sheet 80. The longitudinally extended edges 96, 98 of thetop and bottom halves 84, 86 are aligned and sealed together so that theresultant edge seam 88 is parallel to fold line 82. Similarly, bondingalong a longitudinal line creates a seam line 90 parallel to both theedge seam 88 and the fold line 82 to create two lumens 92, 94.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate yet an additional embodiment formanufacturing the lay flat tubing 10 described in relation to FIGS.2A-C. FIG. 6A illustrates an elongated rectangular base layer 100 ontowhich is superimposed a pair of separate sheets 102, 104. Here again,the base layer 100 and the pair of sheets 102, 104 are made ofthermoformed polymers. Sheets 102, 104 are oriented side by side, suchthat adjacent longitudinal edges 106, 108 are in contact or nearlycontacting one another, and positioned onto the base layer 100. Thelongitudinal edges 110, 112 of the base layer 100 align with outboardlongitudinal edges 114, 116 of the pair of sheets 102, 104,respectively. The respective edges are then sealed to one another inorder to form two parallel lumens 118, 120 that run longitudinally alongthe entire length of the lay flat tubing.

While the embodiments described above illustrate a lay flat tubing witha two lumens running longitudinally the length of the lay flat tubing,one skilled in the art will recognize that the lay flat tubing can beconstructed with more than two lumens, as seen in FIG. 7. Here, the layflat tubing 120 has a series of three parallel lumens 122 runninglongitudinally the length of the lay flat tubing 120. Lumens 122 can beformed in any of the above described methods or combination thereof.Similarly, any plurality of lumens can be created in the lay flattubing.

Furthermore, the lay flat tubing can be treated during and aftermanufacturing with HF/RF treatment to decrease risk of contaminationfrom micro-organisms, pryogens and particulates. The flush or abuttingrelationship of the lay flat tubing prevents any of the aforementionedcontaminants from residing in the lumens.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of application for the lay flat tubing 10 asdescribed in FIGS. 1-7. An infusion site 150 on a patient 162 requiringinfusion of intravenous fluid is created with a catheter 160. A bag 152containing a solution of intravenous fluid is located in the vicinity ofthe patient 162, normally no more than a few feet. The bag 152 has adrip control mechanism 154 attached that controls the flow ofintravenous fluid from the bag 152.

FIG. 9 illustrates the drip mechanism 154 and the connection to the layflat tubing 10. The drip mechanism 154 includes a stopcock 156 forcontrolling the flow from the bag 152 through drip mechanism 154 intothe lay flat tubing 10. A frustoconical member 158 is located at theoutput end on the drip mechanism 154. The frustoconical member 158engages a desired spaced opening, for example spaced opening 30, of thelay flat tubing 10. The frustoconical member 158 provides an applicationof force to the spaced opening 30, causing the spaced opening 30 of thelay flat tubing 10 to deform from a fluid-sealed disposition to aposition following the circumferential contours of the frustoconicalmember 158. The resilient quality of the thermoformed polymer materialfrom which the lay flat tubing 10 is constructed allows the spacedopening 30 to distend. The elastic deformation of distended spacedopening 30 creates a frictional engagement with the frustoconical member158 and prevents the lay flat tubing 10 from uncoupling with thefrustoconical member 158.

Referring once again to FIG. 8, the catheter 160 is inserted at theinfusion site 150 on a patient 162. Normally, the catheter 160 isinserted into a vessel or cavity and then fluid is transported into orfrom a person's body. While one end of the catheter 160 is designed tointeract with a patient 162 at the infusion site 150, the other end ofthe catheter 160 has an attachment point 164 designed to receive aconduit, such as the lay flat tubing 10, through which fluid isconducted. The attachment point 164 is inversely tapered in a mannersimilar to frustoconical member 158. The spaced opening 30, opposite ofthe spaced opening attached to the frustoconical member 158, is thenfrictionally engaged with the attachment point 164. As fluid flows fromthe bag 152, through the drip mechanism 154 into the lay flat tubing 10,the fluid forces the expansion of the lumen 28 within the lay flattubing 10 from their fluid sealing relationship.

Further, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 includes one or moreelectrical signal wires 166 housed within the entire length of thesecond lumen 34. The wires 166 are made from a material that ispreferably electrically conductive and are used to convey electricalcurrent between its ends. At one end the wires 166 can be attached to amonitoring device 168 while at the other end they are attached proximatethe infusion site 150, whether to the catheter 160 or the patient 162.Information, such as body temperature, can be transmitted via the wires166 in the form of electrical signals. Yet another embodiment of thewiring arrangement utilizes the wires 166 to conduct heat along thelength of the lay flat tubing. The transferred heat can be used to warman intravenous solution from the bag 152 as it travels the length of thelumen 28. The wires 166 are either inserted into at least one of thelumens of the lay flat tubing 10 after manufacturing, or the lay flattubing 10 is formed with the wire 166 disposed between two layers ofthermoformed polymers prior to sealing the layers to one another. Yetanother embodiment includes a fiber optic cable for transmitting opticalsignals through the lumen.

While FIG. 8 illustrates use of the lay flat tubing in combination withan intravenous setup, the scope of applications of the lay flat tubingis more expansive. The lay flat tubing can also be used in a surgicalprocedure wherein the tubing is inserted into a cavity (e.g., lungs,organ, etc.) to extract (e.g., surgical wound drainage) or introducefluid (e.g., liquid, air, etc) via one or more lumens. Similarly, thelay flat tubing can be used in veterinary procedures as well.

As noted above, in addition to supplying the lay flat tubing in rolls,the tubing may be pre-cut to specified lengths. In addition, theindividual lengths of tubing may be provided with suitable connectors orother specified termination. For example, conventional fluid connectors,such as Luer-Locks, may be attached as terminations at the ends of thepre-cut sections of lay flat tubing. Likewise, conventional electricalconnectors may be attached at the tubing ends for lumens that carryelectrical wiring.

As noted above, it is contemplated that lumens formed as part of thesame lay flat tubing structure may be separated from one another bytransversely spaced seams, thereby forming a web that spaces the lumenstransversely from one another by any desired distance. The webportion(s) residing between the lumens may be cut at the time ofmanufacture or at the time of installation of the tubing to facilitaterelative movement between the ends of the lumens to thereby enable theirconnection to different locations. Rather than cutting the web it may beperforated to facilitate separation of the lumens at their ends.

It is also contemplated that the lay flat tubing of the presentinvention may be provided as part of a fluid sensing package (e.g.,fluid flow sensor, fluid temperature sensor, etc.) wherein the tubing ispermanently connected to the sensor with sensor probes, wiring, etc.,inserted into lay flat tubing at the ends of the lumens or anywherealong the lumen lengths.

Having described preferred embodiments of lay flat tubing assemblies andmethods of manufacture, it is believed that other modifications,variations and changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art inview of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understoodthat all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to fallwithin the scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fluid delivery system comprising: a fluidsource containing a fluid; and a conduit to conduct said fluid from saidfluid source to a desired location on a body of a patient and including:a tubular member including first and second conduit walls havingparallel longitudinally extending, transversely spaced edges joinedtogether in fluid-sealing relation; and a seam line defined in saidtubular member to form first and second lumens within said tubularmember that are attached to each other along a side edge of said lumens,each lumen having interior and exterior surfaces and longitudinallyspaced first and second open terminal ends but is otherwise fluid sealedalong its length, and said seam line extending within said tubularmember between said attached first and second lumens from said firstopen terminal end of said attached lumens to said second open terminalend of said attached lumens; wherein said interior surfaces, in theabsence of applied pressure therebetween, are normally disposedsubstantially flush against one another, each of said first and secondlumens being responsive to pressure applied between interior surfacessuch that said interior surfaces expand away from one another; whereinsaid first lumen is configured to conduct said fluid from said fluidsource to said desired location and said first open terminal end of saidfirst lumen serves as an inlet and is configured to attach to said fluidsource to receive fluid therefrom and said second open terminal end ofsaid first lumen serves as an outlet and is configured to deliver saidfluid to said desired location.
 2. The fluid delivery system of claim 1wherein said conduit further comprises at least one electrical conductorextending longitudinally through said second lumen.
 3. The fluiddelivery system of claim 2 wherein said first lumen is adapted totransfer medical liquid from said fluid source to an infusion locationon the body of said patient, said conduit further comprising: a firstfluid connector secured to said inlet of said first lumen for connectingsaid first end of said first lumen to said fluid source; and a secondfluid connector connected to said outlet of said first lumen forconnecting said second end of said first lumen to an infusion device. 4.The fluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein said first and secondlumens are adapted to conduct first and second fluids, respectively,to/from said patient.
 5. The fluid delivery system of claim 1 whereinsaid conduit is provided as part of a roll of lay flat tubing.
 6. Thefluid delivery system of claim 1 wherein said first lumen is adapted totransfer medical liquid from said fluid source to an infusion locationon the body of said patient, said conduit further comprising: a firstconnector secured to said inlet of said first lumen for connecting saidfirst end of said first lumen to said fluid source; and a secondconnector connected to said outlet of said first lumen for connectingsaid second end of said first lumen to an infusion device.
 7. The fluiddelivery system of claim 1 wherein portions of said first and secondconduit walls forming said first lumen define first and second lumenwalls and portions of said first and second conduit walls forming saidsecond lumen define third and fourth lumen walls, wherein said third andfourth lumen walls are transverse extensions of said first and secondlumen walls, respectively.
 8. The fluid delivery system of claim 7,wherein first and third lumen walls are sections of a first sheet ofplastic material, wherein said second and fourth lumen walls aresections of a second sheet of plastic material; and wherein said firstand second sheets are sealed together along seams to define said firstand second lumens.
 9. The fluid delivery system of claim 7 wherein firstand third lumen walls are sections of a first half of a sheet of plasticmaterial, wherein said second and fourth lumen walls are sections of asecond half of said sheet of plastic material; and wherein said firstand second sheet halves are sealed together along seams to define saidfirst and second lumens.
 10. The fluid delivery system according toclaim 1, wherein at least one flat sheet forms said conduit.
 11. Thefluid delivery system according to claim 10, wherein a single flat sheetfolds longitudinally to form an upper and a lower half, said upper andlower halves are bonded to form said tubular member and seam linedefined in said tubular member to form said first and second lumens. 12.The fluid delivery system according to claim 11, wherein said sheet isbonded from a process selected from the group of heat sealing,ultrasonic welding, dielectric welding, and extrusion.
 13. The fluiddelivery system according to claim 10, wherein first and second flatsheets form said conduit, said first and second sheets are bonded toform said tubular member and seam line defined in said tubular member toform said first and second lumens.
 14. The fluid delivery systemaccording to claim 13, wherein said first and second flat sheets arebonded from a process selected from the group of heat sealing,ultrasonic welding, dielectric welding, and extrusion.
 15. The fluiddelivery system according to claim 10, wherein a plurality oflongitudinal strips are bonded to a base flat sheet to form said tubularmember and seam line defined in said tubular member to form said firstand second lumens.
 16. The fluid delivery system according to claim 15,wherein said plurality of longitudinal strips and said base flat sheetare bonded from a process selected from the group of heat sealing,ultrasonic welding, dielectric welding, and extrusion.
 17. The fluiddelivery system according to claim 1, wherein said conduit has abursting strength of at least 100 psi.
 18. The fluid delivery systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said second lumen transports fluid. 19.The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said secondlumen accommodates wiring.
 20. The fluid delivery system according toclaim 19, wherein said wiring is formed with said second lumen.
 21. Thefluid delivery system according to claim 19, wherein said wiring isinserted into said second lumen after defining said second lumen. 22.The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein said first lumenhas a larger cross section than said second lumen.
 23. A method forconstructing a conduit for a fluid delivery system to conduct fluid froma fluid source to a desired location on a body of a patient, the methodcomprising the steps of: engaging a fluid source and conducting saidfluid from said fluid source to said desired location on said body ofsaid patient via a conduit, wherein said engaging includes: providingfirst and second conduit walls having parallel longitudinally extending,transversely spaced edges; joining respective said transversely spacededges of said first and second conduit walls together in fluid-sealingrelation to form a tubular member; and defining a seam line in saidtubular member to form first and second lumens within said tubularmember that are attached to each other along a side edge of said lumens,each lumen having interior and exterior surfaces and longitudinallyspaced first and second open terminal ends but is otherwise fluid sealedalong its length, and said seam line extending within said tubularmember between said attached first and second lumens from said firstopen terminal end of said attached lumens to said second open terminalend of said attached lumens; wherein said interior surfaces, in theabsence of applied pressure therebetween, are normally disposedsubstantially flush against one another, each of said first and secondlumens being responsive to pressure applied between interior surfacessuch that said interior surfaces expand away from one another; whereinsaid first lumen is configured to conduct fluid from said fluid sourceto said desired location and said first open terminal end of said firstlumen serves as an inlet and is configured to attach to said fluidsource to receive fluid therefrom and said second open terminal end ofsaid first lumen serves as an outlet and is configured to deliver saidfluid to said desired location.
 24. The method of claim 23 furthercomprising the step of extending at least one electrical conductorlongitudinally through said second lumen.
 25. The method of claim 23further comprising the steps of transferring medical liquid from saidfluid source to an infusion location on the body of said patient viasaid first lumen, said method further comprising the steps of: engaginga first fluid connector by said inlet of said first end of said firstlumen; engaging said fluid source by said first end of said first lumen;engaging a second fluid connector by said outlet of said second end ofsaid first lumen; and engaging an infusion device by said second end ofsaid first lumen.
 26. The method of claim 23 further comprising the stepof adapting said first and second lumens to conduct first and secondfluids, respectively, to/from said patient.
 27. The method of claim 23further comprising the step of providing said tubular member as part ofa roll of lay flat tubing.
 28. The method of claim 23 further comprisingthe step of adapting said first lumen to transfer medical liquid fromsaid fluid source to an infusion location on the body of said patient,said method further comprising the steps of: engaging a first connectorby said inlet of said first end of said first lumen for connecting saidfirst end of said first lumen to said fluid source; and engaging asecond connector by said outlet of said second end of said first lumenfor connecting said second end of said first lumen to an infusiondevice.
 29. The method of claim 23 wherein portions of said first andsecond conduit walls forming the first lumen define first and secondlumen walls and portions of said first and second conduit walls formingthe second lumen define third and fourth lumen walls, the method furthercomprising the step of defining said third and fourth lumen walls astransverse extensions of said first and second lumen walls,respectively.
 30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the stepsof: providing a first sheet of plastic material wherein said first andthird lumen walls are sections of said first sheet of plastic material;providing a second sheet of plastic material wherein said second andfourth lumen walls are sections of said second sheet of plasticmaterial; and sealing said first and second sheets together along seamsto define said first and second lumens.
 31. The method of claim 29further comprising the steps of: providing a first half of a sheet ofplastic material, wherein said first and third lumen walls are sectionsof said first half of said sheet of plastic material; providing a secondhalf of said sheet of plastic material, wherein said second and fourthlumen walls are sections of a second half of said sheet of plasticmaterial; and sealing said first and second sheet halves sealed togetheralong seams to define said first and second lumens.
 32. The method ofclaim 23 further comprising the step of forming said conduit from atleast one flat sheet.
 33. The method of claim 32 further comprising thesteps of: folding a single flat sheet longitudinally to form an upperand a lower half; and bonding said upper and lower halves to form saidtubular member and seam line defined in said tubular member to form saidfirst and second lumens.
 34. The method of claim 33 further comprisingthe step of bonding said sheet from a process selected from the group ofheat sealing, ultrasonic welding, dielectric welding, and extrusion. 35.The method of claim 32 further comprising the steps of: forming saidconduit from first and second flat sheets; and bonding said first andsecond sheets to form said tubular member and seam line defined in saidtubular member to form said first and second lumens.
 36. The method ofclaim 35 further comprising the step of bonding said first and secondflat sheets from a process selected from the group of heat sealing,ultrasonic welding, dielectric welding, and extrusion.
 37. The method ofclaim 32 further comprising the step of bonding a plurality oflongitudinal strips to a base flat sheet to form said tubular member andseam line defined in said tubular member to form said first and secondlumens.
 38. The method of claim 37 further comprising the step ofbonding said plurality of longitudinal strips and said base flat sheetfrom a process selected from the group of heat sealing, ultrasonicwelding, dielectric welding, and extrusion.
 39. The method of claim 23further comprising the step of providing said conduit with a burstingstrength of at least 100 psi.
 40. The method of claim 23 furthercomprising the step of transporting fluid through said second lumen. 41.The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of accommodating saidsecond lumen with wiring.
 42. The method of claim 41 further comprisingthe step of forming said wiring with said second lumen.
 43. The methodof claim 41 further comprising the step of inserting said wiring intosecond lumen after defining said second lumen.
 44. The method of claim23 further comprising the step of providing said first lumen with alarger cross section than said second lumen.
 45. The fluid deliverysystem of claim 2, wherein the at least one electrical conductor isconfigured to transmit electrical signals to convey information betweenone end of the electrical conductor attached proximate the desiredlocation and the other end of the electrical conductor attached to amonitoring device.
 46. The fluid delivery system of claim 2, wherein theat least one electrical conductor is configured to conduct heat alongthe length of the second lumen to warm the transfer of medical liquid ofthe first lumen from the source to the desired location.
 47. The fluiddelivery system of claim 1, wherein said conduit further comprises atleast one fiber optic cable extending longitudinally through said secondlumen to transmit optical signals through said second lumen.
 48. Themethod of claim 24, wherein the at least one electrical conductor isconfigured to transmit electrical signals to convey information betweenone end of the electrical conductor attached proximate the desiredlocation and the other end of the electrical conductor attached to amonitoring device.
 49. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least oneelectrical conductor is configured to conduct heat along the length ofthe second lumen to warm the transfer of medical liquid of the firstlumen from the source to the desired location.
 50. The method of claim23 further comprising the step of extending at least one fiber opticcable longitudinally through said second lumen to transmit opticalsignals through said second lumen.
 51. The fluid delivery systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said conduit has a bursting strength of nomore than 100 psi.
 52. The method of claim 23 further comprising thestep of providing said conduit with a bursting strength of no more than100 psi.